Grasping device

ABSTRACT

A grasping device having two sets of jaws is disclosed. One of the sets of jaws is open when the other is closed. One set of jaws is used for grasping articles while the other set is for grasping a shelf or the like when the device is not in use.

U Unified Males Palenl 1191 1111 3,727,963 Drannff Apr. 17, 1973 [54]GRASPHNG DEVIHCE 2,181,520 11 1939 Pedersen ..294/22 [761 lnvemo SamuelDram, 38 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Conshohocken Avenue,Philadelphia, P211 556,242 9/l922 France ..294/23 [22] Flled: Sept 1971Primary ExaminerEvon C. Blunk [21 Appl. No.1 184,84 AssistantExaminer.lohnny D. Cherry Atl0rneySeidel, Gonda & Goldhammer [52] US.Cl. .294/23, 294/19 R 511 lm. c1. ..A47f 13/06 l ABSTRAQT [58] Field ofSearch "294/l9 A grasping device having two sets of jaws is disclosed.294/24 One of the sets of jaws is open when the other is 6 R f C dclosed. One set oljaws is used for grasping articles [5 l e erences mewhile the other set is for grasping a shelf or the like UNITED STATESPATENTS when the device is not in use.

744,l57 l l/l903 Bertschy 294/23 4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures GRASIINGDEVICE This invention relates to a grasping device and, moreparticularly, to a grasping device of the type which comprisesgraspingjaws at the end of an extended pole.

Grasping devices of the type described herein are generally used ingrocery stores or other places where it is necessary to reach objectswhich may be beyond the reach of an individual. Thus, grasping devicesare commonly used in order to extend the reach of individuals andfacilitate the handling of articles.

Typically, these devices resemble that shown in Pedersen U.S. Pat. No.2,181,520 in that they comprise a set of jaws connected by ascissor-like linkage to a pole. The jaws are normally biased apart.However, they can be actuated by a handle to close upon a desiredarticle.

When grasping devices such as those shown in the above-noted Pedersenpatent are not used, they are stored on hooks, or left to rest against awall or shelving. Additionally, many of the grasping devices areprovided with hooks themselves so that they can be supported by a shelfwhen not in use.

None of these techniques are satisfactory. Driving a hook into a'wall orleaving the device resting against a wall or shelves is unsatisfactoryin that such hooks are unsightly and can damage the shelving. On theother hand, merely resting the device against a wall permits it to slipand fall and generally become a hazard to those working in the area.

The third alternative which is suggested by the prior art is alsodisadvantageous since the shelving can be extensively damaged by hookson the grasping device. Additionally, modern shelving which may be madeof metal or materials of like characteristics does not provide asuitable surface for a hook to engage.

Thus, the present invention is directed to a grasping device which has asecond set of jaws. The second set of jaws is useful for grasping ashelf when the device is not in use. Generally, the grasping devicecomprises an elongated pole having a first set of jaws coupled thereto.The first set ofjaws is useful for grasping an article. The second setofjaws is also coupled to the pole. Linkage means is coupled between thefirst and second sets of jaws so that when one set of jaws is open, theother is closed. Means are provided for biasing one of the jaws to itsclosed position and other means are provided for overcoming the force ofthe biasing means.

The invention can best be understood by referring to the drawingswherein FIG. l is a front elevational view of the device.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the device.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the device.

FIG. 4 is a partial rear elevation of the device.

Referring now to the drawings for a detailed description of theinvention, FIG. 1 shows a grasping device constructed in accordance withthe preferred form thereof.

The device comprises an elongated pole 112 which supports a first set ofjaws l4 and a second set of jaws 16. The two sets are coupled to eachother in oppositely facing relation by a linkage 18. A handle which ismounted on a portion of the pole remote from the first and second setsof jaws is operative to open and close the jaws. While only one handleis shown, it is apparent that many handles could be used. In such anarrangement, the handles would be disposed at spaced intervals along thepole 12 so that the reach of the user could be extended as desired.

The first set of jaws comprises jaw members 24 which are supportedintermediate their ends by pivot pin 26 which is connected to anextension 27 of pole 12.

The distal ends 28 of each of the jaws 24 are connected to links 30 bypins 31.

The opposite ends of links 30 are joined by an elongated horizontallydisposed pivot arm 32. Pivot arm 32 extends through suitable openings inthe ends of links 30. It has an elongated downwardly directed portion 35which is connected to handle 20 in the manner to be described.

Immediately below its juncture with links 30, portion 35 includes afirst stop 36 which may be a washer-like member fixed or otherwisefastened to the rod. A second stop 38 is fixed to pole 12. Stop 38 maycomprise a flat plate supported at one end by the pole and having anaperture 39 at its other end.

Rod portion 35 extends through aperture 39. A helical compression spring40 is supported by rod portion 35 between stops 36 and 38. Thecompression spring biases stop 36 away from stop 38.

Handle 20 comprises a grip 44 which is connected by a pivot 46 to pole12. The arm of rod portion 35 may be connected to the handle by a hook48, pin, or other suitable means.

The earlier-mentioned pole extension 27 may comprise a flat strap whichextends upwardly from the end of the pole and is doubled over to form anupper jaw 52 having an upper gripping pad 54.

Horizontally extending rod 32 has an upwardly directed portion inalignment with the upper jaw to define a lower jaw 56. The lower jaw hasa lower gripping pad 58 in alignment with upper gripping pad 54.

The two gripping pads 54 and 58 are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 in engagementwith a shelf 60 or other support surface.

The horizontal rod portion 32 extends through an elongated axiallydisposed slot 62 in pole extension 27. In using the device, it wouldnormally be found in the position illustrated in FIG. 2 wherein upperand lower jaws 52 and 56 are supporting it on a shelf 60 or othersupporting means. Spring 40 which bears against stops 36 and 38 closesthe upper and lower gripping pads 54 and 58 into closed engagement withthe shelf. When handle 20 is actuated as by squeezing it, therebyrotating it around its pivot 46, rod portion 35 is moved downwardly.Horizontal rod portion 32 is permitted to move downwardly by slot 62,thereby lowering lower jaw 56.

The device can then be used in a conventional manner wherein thesqueezing of handle 20 causes the first set ofjaws 24 to come togetheras shown in phantom in FIG. 1 to grasp an article. When the graspingdevice is to be stored, jaws 52 and 56 are opened and the device isplaced over a shelf. When handle 20 is released, spring 40 causes theupper and lower gripping pads to securely grasp the shelf.

It should be noted that the second set of jaws extends rearwardly andoppositely of the first set of jaws. Thus, the pole 12 may lie close bythe shelves while it is being supported.

Additionally. it should be noted that the linkage 18 which connects thefirst and second sets of jaws together is operative to open one set whenthe other set is closed. However, the first set of jaws is normallybiased to an open position by spring 40 whereas that spring normallybiases the second set of jaws to its closed position. Hence, when thedevice is not being used, the second set of jaws will naturally bedisposed so as to grip shelf 60.

Thus, what has been described is a grasping device that can be stored onshelves without regard to their surface characteristics. It will staysecurely on the shelves, even when hit. Its only movement upon being hitwill be a slight swinging motion from side to side about upper and lowerjaws 52 and 56. But this motion will be damped by the tendency of spring40 to urge the jaws together.

While the invention has been described with reference to one embodimentthereof, it is apparent that many other forms and embodiments will beobvious to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoingdescription; thus, the scope of the invention should not be limited bythat description but only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

lclaim:

17 A grasping device comprising an elongated pole, a first set of jawscoupled to said pole for relative movement toward each other to grasp anarticle by its sides, a second set ofjaws coupled to said pole formovement relative to each other, said movement of said second set ofjawsbeing toward or away from each other in a vertical plane to grasp ashelf, said first and second sets of jaws being in oppositely facingrelation to each other, linkage means coupling said first set of jaws toone of said jaws in said second set ofjaws, means connected to saidlinkage means for opening one of said jaws while closing the other setofjaws, means for biasing said linkage to normally hold one of said setsofjaws in its open position, and means on said pole for overcoming theforce of said biasing means.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said first set ofjaws arepivotally mounted to said pole, said second set of jaws comprising anupper jaw and a lower jaw, one of said second jaws being fixed to saidelongated pole, and said linkage means couples said first jaws to theotherjaw in said second set so that actuation of said first set of jawsoperates said other jaw in said second set.

3. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein one of said jaws in saidsecond set is fixed to said pole and said means for overcoming saidbiasing force is connected to the otherjaw in said second set.

4. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said elongated pole has anupwardly extending portion that defines one of the jaws of said secondset ofjaws, a portion of said linkage means defines the other jaw insaid second set ofjaws, and said means for overcoming said bias isoperative to move said other jaw relative to said firstjaw.

1. A grasping device comprising an elongated pole, a first set of jawscoupled to said pole for relative movement toward each other to grasp anarticle by its sides, a second set of jaws coupled to said pole formovement relative to each other, said movement of said second set ofjaws being toward or away from each other in a vertical plane to grasp ashelf, said first and second sets of jaws being in oppositely facingrelation to each other, linkage means coupling said first set of jaws toone of said jaws in said second set of jaws, means connected to saidlinkage means for opening one of said jaws while closing the other setof jaws, means for biasing said linkage to normally hold one of saidsets of jaws in its open position, and means on said pole for overcomingthe force of said biasing means.
 2. A device as defined in claim 1wherein said first set of jaws are pivotally mounted to said pole, saidsecond set of jaws comprising an upper jaw and a lower jaw, one of saidsecond jaws being fixed to said elongated pole, and said linkage meanscouples said first jaws to the other jaw in said second set so thatactuation of said first set of jaws operates said other jaw in saidsecond set.
 3. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein one of said jawsin said second set is fixed to said pole and said means for overcomingsaid biasing force is connected to the other jaw in said second set. 4.A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said elongated pole has anupwardly extending portion that defines one of the jaws of said secondset of jaws, a portion of said linkage means defines the other jaw insaid second set of jaws, and said means for overcoming said bias isoperative to move said other jaw relative to said first jaw.